Visual display and method of making same



May 24, 1960 H. E. NUGENT 2,937,931

VISUAL DISPLAY AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed Sept. 17, 1958 VISUALDISPLAY AND METHUD OF MAKDIG SAME Henry E. Nugent, 21225 Dettmering,Matteson, lll.

Filed Sept. 17, 1958, Ser. No. 761,566

1 Claim. (Cl. 41-34) My invention relates to a visual display usingbeans, and to the method for making such a visual display.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide a method of making avisual display in which I use beans and attach them to a background.Another object is to create a visual display in which beans are used asthe primary means. My method is particularly adapted to children andkeep them beneiicially occupied. It is also useful in hospitals intherapy.

My invention also comprises such other objects, advantages andcapabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherentlypossessed by my invention.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodimentof my invention, yet it is to be understood that the same is susceptibleof modification and change without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. l is an elevational view of my cardboardwith a typical sketch; Fig. 2 is elevational view of the same with colorindicated and partly filled with beans; and Fig. '3 is an edge view ofmy visual display.

The preferred embodiment of my method comprises taking a plurality ofnavy beans, just as they come from the store. They are dry and hard. Iapply a harmless vegetable coloring to the beans. Preferably I use onlyone color on each bean, but do not want to be limited t this practice.When I finish my coloring step, I have beans of all the usual colorssuch as red, blue, yellow, green, purple, brown, white, black, etcetera. Then I apply a color fastener or water proofing such as aplastic, or lacquer coating, or the like, so that the color on the beanwill not run if it should be contacted by moisture.

I then take a base or background preferably in the form of a heavy sheetof cardboard, and sketch in pencil or the like the outlines oi thedesigns or picture which is to be created. In some instances, I will usecolored pencil to indicate color areas, but I often just indicate thecolor to be used by a word.

I follow this step by placing glue or the like on the drawn areas. Iplace beans of desired colors in each of these areas, move them asdesired to lill the areas, and press them against the glue so that theybecome afxed to the base.

In some instances, where the display is large, I may Work only oncertain areas at one sitting or time. In this situation, I will applyglue only to the specific area and aiiix the beans to the glue intheseareas. At later times, I will apply glue to other areas in thisdisplay and ailix beans to these areas.

My article of manufacture comprises a base or background 10. This baselil is preferably a sheet of cardboard. However, I may use a sheet ofwood, or plastic, or any other suitable light material.

s 2,937,931* Patented May 24, 1960 afa The base lll has markings Ilthereon forming an outline to indicate the design or picture to be made.These markings may also indicate color, either in the outlinesthemselves, or by words directing the color to be used.

Glue is applied to the areas on the base to be used, and whlie the glueis wet, a plurality of beans l2 of desired colors to meet the colorrequested on the areas are placed on top of the glue, moved into desiredposition and held in place by said glue.

The article is allowed to dry and in nal form may be hung on the wall,or otherwise used as a decoration.

While l have specified beans, I prefer to use navy beans. Their shape issmall enough for use in delicate Work and yet large enough for easyhandling. In the event a large element is desired, I may use lima beansor kidney beans. They are particularly desirable when a large area is tobe covered and where their natural green and red colors respectively areneeded. They may be used in all or part of a display without coloring.

I ordinarily provide my beans with color so as to have beans of alldesired colors. They may be waterproofed with plastic or lacquer sprayor any other suitable means.

While I prefer to use actual, natural navy beans, I may use normal limabeans, kidney beans or other beans. However, my invention includes theuse of simulations of such beans.

The navy beans may be used with their eyes up or down. They may beplaced in even rows or ust helter skelter. Their positioning provides agreat variety of effects to be obtained in the finished visual display.

Because my navy beans are rounded and substantially oval, they provide athird dimensional effect which greatly increases the visibility andattractiveness of the visual display. In some instances, such as seascapes, the navy beans create a rippling eiiect that is very pleasing.

At any event, because of the third dimensional characteristics of mynavy beans, the monotony of a flat picture is avoided. This thirddimensional effect stimulates interest and attracts attention.

My method is particularly pleasing to children. In using my method theylearn color, design and neatness.

In hospitals for those recovering from serious illness who need to betaught to move, my method is of great therapeutic value. It teaches theconvalescent to move and by its simplicity provides successfulaccomplishment resulting in encouragement to the weak and depressed at atime when it is vital to their recovery.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A visual display comprising a base formed of a sheet of cardboard, saidbase having a sketch with color indications for certain areas of thesketch, glue on said areas, and a plurality of dry, hard, opaque beansheld on said areas by said glue, said beans having applied thereto aharmless vegetable color, and a color fastening and water proof coatingover said color, the color of said beans following the color indicationsof said sketch, said beans each having eyes, and being rounded and ovalin contour, said beans being so positioned with their eyes up or down,or placed in even rows or heiter skelter so as to provide a thirddimensional effect and avoid the monotony of a disp ay.

References in the i'lle of this patent UNITED STATES IATENTS

